BJP govt worse than Nizam, says Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut

In a blistering attack, Shiv Sena's Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut today said the BJP-led governments at the Centre and in Maharashtra were worse than the government of Nizam.

Nizam was the former Muslim ruler of the princely state of Hyderabad. Aurangabad and some parts of Marathwada were a part of this state in the past.

"BJP government is the father of Nizam's government," Raut told a party function in Aurangabad.

Shiv Sena is in alliance with BJP both in the state and the Centre.

Raut also took a swipe at the foreign tours of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"Whenever we ask anybody about the PM, we learn that he is in Switzerland, in London, France, Iran or elsewhere," he said.

During the campaigning for assembly elections in West Bengal, Kerala and other states where BJP has very little presence, Modi addressed dozens of rallies but he did not have time to visit and see the plight of the drought-struck Marathwada, said Raut.

If the Prime Minister was serious about the problems of farmers, he should come and see the situation in Marathwada, he said.

Without naming BJP leader Eknath Khadse, who had to resign from the state cabinet over allegations of corruption, Raut said Shiv Sena had earlier stated that BJP had many "bubbles" which would soon burst. "Recently one of the bubbles burst," he said.